Trucker Bathroom Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2514

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-31: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-05-30T08:05:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Trucker Bathroom Access Act" (H.R. 2514) aims to ensure that certain commercial truck drivers have access to restrooms while performing their duties, addressing a practical need for these workers during deliveries, loading waits, and port operations. It amends federal transportation law to mandate access without requiring physical modifications to facilities.

Key Provisions

• Restroom Access for General Drivers (Section 2):
• Adds a new section (14105) to title 49 of the U.S. Code, requiring "covered drivers" (commercial motor vehicle operators regulated by the Secretary of Transportation for qualifications and hours of service) to be granted access to "covered restroom facilities" at "covered establishments."
• Covered establishments include businesses open to the public for sales, shippers, receivers, manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers, or any entity handling goods via commercial trucks.
• Covered restrooms are those intended for customers or employees, located in safe and secure areas without obvious health, safety, or security risks.
• No physical changes to restrooms are required for compliance.
• Small structures (e.g., filling stations, service stations, or restaurants of 800 square feet or less with employee-only restrooms) are exempt.

• Restroom Access for Drayage Truck Operators (Section 3):
• Requires "terminal operators" (entities managing marine terminals for cargo loading/unloading, including port authorities) to provide a sufficient number of "covered restrooms" (restrooms or portable toilets in safe areas) for "covered drayage truck operators" (drivers of heavy vehicles over 33,000 pounds gross weight operating at ports or intermodal rail yards for cargo transport).
• Compliance includes: access to existing restrooms when safe; adding restrooms where most needed; and providing parking for vehicles during restroom use.
• Access must not pose obvious safety risks to drivers or terminal employees.

• Clerical Update: Inserts the new section into the table of contents for chapter 141 of title 49.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces entirely new federal requirements under title 49 of the U.S. Code, which previously lacked specific mandates for restroom access for truck drivers. It expands transportation regulations (focused on safety and hours of service) to include basic facility access, without altering broader qualifications or operational rules. No prior federal law directly addressed this issue for interstate commercial drivers or port drayage operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (via the Secretary) gains oversight for enforcement, potentially increasing administrative duties related to compliance monitoring for regulated drivers and facilities.
• On Citizens: Primarily benefits truck drivers by improving access to restrooms, which could enhance health, safety, and job satisfaction during long shifts. It may indirectly affect consumers through smoother supply chain operations at businesses and ports.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could support efficient U.S. port operations, benefiting global trade logistics involving cargo handling.
• Broader effects include reduced health risks for drivers (e.g., from dehydration or urgency) and potential minor costs for businesses to manage access, offset by no requirement for structural changes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Truck Drivers: Commercial motor vehicle operators and drayage drivers, who gain mandated restroom access to support their work.
• Businesses and Facilities: Shippers, receivers, manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers, and public-facing establishments, required to allow access to existing restrooms.
• Port and Terminal Operators: Marine terminals and port authorities, obligated to provide and maintain restroom options, including parking.
• Exempt Entities: Small gas stations, service stations, or restaurants (under 800 square feet with employee-only facilities) face no obligations.
• Regulators: U.S. Department of Transportation, responsible for defining and enforcing compliance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes clear, enforceable rights for drivers under federal transportation law, with definitions limiting scope to safe and secure access. It avoids burdens like construction mandates, reducing potential challenges under property rights or cost-prohibition doctrines. Enforcement likely falls under existing DOT authority, without creating new agencies.
• Constitutional: Aligns with interstate commerce clause powers (Article I, Section 8), as it regulates commercial trucking and ports affecting national trade. No apparent free speech, due process, or equal protection issues, though businesses could argue minor takings claims if access disrupts operations (mitigated by safety/security exceptions).
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Reps. Nehls, Houlahan, Scholten, and Babin) suggests broad support for trucker welfare. It highlights labor conditions in logistics without controversial elements like wage mandates, potentially serving as a model for future worker protections in transportation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Cosponsors (18)

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-31: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-03-31: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-31: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Trucker Bathroom Access Act — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (5 pages)